Corporate Quality Technical Manager

ASR Group•Boca Raton, FL

About The Position

The ASR Group® family of companies make up the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar. The companies produce a full line of grocery, industrial, foodservice and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group® companies operate five sugar refineries, located in California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, ASR Group® companies operate sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. The companies also farm sugarcane and own sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The ASR Group® portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle's®, Sidul® and Whitworths®. ASR Group® companies also produce and market Tellus®, a single-use, compostable tableware and foodservice product made from plant fibers, including sugarcane. OVERVIEW The Corporate Quality Technical Manager is responsible for managing corporate laboratories, including raw sugar and specific products analysis, providing direct support to site operating laboratories through their own actions and those of their team, and providing timely, accurate, and meaningful technical and quality assistance to customers, both internal and external. The position serves as an interface between quality, production, research, and sales and drives the Corporation’s quality goals and laboratory objectives at all facilities within the organization. GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE Global

Requirements

A formal education in the technical field with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience working in an industrial manufacturing environment
Knowledge of Quality Assurance/Control practices and procedures
Knowledge statistical analysis (SPC), spreadsheets, and word processing, as well as strong communication, problem resolution and organizational skills
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions
HACCP and/or related food safety training
Knowledge of the operation and calibration of laboratory equipment
Ability to analyze complex information and perform root cause analysis
Ability to recognize areas for Continuous Improvement strategies; recommend and implement CI strategies as assigned
Ability to utilize ERP information and analyze results
Ability to always maintain confidentiality of proprietary business information
Ability to effectively manage time, including the ability to prioritize, work within assigned deadlines, and work independently or collaboratively to accomplish organizational objectives
Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects while maintaining quality & accuracy standards
Ability to utilize Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and Outlook on an Advanced Level
Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing, fostering strong lines of communication across the business
Ability to establish unity of purpose and direction and create conditions in which people are engaged in achieving the organization’s quality objectives
Ability to oversee all activities and tasks needed to maintain a desired level of excellence. This includes the determination of a quality policy, creating and implementing quality planning and assurance, and quality control and quality improvement
Ability to plot a course of action that leads to results, considering opportunities, obstacles and change, and ensuring actions are implemented in the right way and at the right time to achieve the desired outcome
Ability to effectively apply planning and scheduling by which raw materials and production capacity are optimally allocated to meet demand
Ability to work through details of a problem to reach a solution, which may include mathematical or systematic operations and can involve critical thinking skills
Ability to capture relevant information and identify key issues and relationships from a base of information

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and understanding of sugar refining and required process aids preferred
Experience in ISO/IEC 17025 implementation and maintenance of accreditation preferred
Continuous Improvement (CI) knowledge and experience preferred (i.e. Lean Six Sigma, Black/Green/Yellow Belt, 5S, etc.)
M.S or B.S in microbiology, biochemistry, food science, or related field

Responsibilities

Manages a Corporate Quality laboratory providing technical and analytical services for the Company, to sales, customers, and manufacturing related to all our products including sugarcane molasses and other specialty products.
Drives standardization of site laboratories through the development of training materials, uniform methods, proficiency testing programs, and on-site auditing.
Is the subject matter expert for the implementation and maintenance of chemical hygiene plans with company laboratories.
Establish, maintain, and monitor unique testing for specific customers (i.e. quarterly & annual testing)
Prepares post-event reports, analyses, and regular status reports on Corporate Quality lab operations and projects
Coordinate and provide training programs and technical presentations for customers, staff, and sales team related to all our products including sugarcane molasses and other specialty products
Acts as a technical resource and advisor to company affiliates, subsidiaries, and academia
Participates in and contributes to Quality Improvement efforts
Participates in the preparation and maintenance of product formulations and documentation (e.g. specification, nutritional, etc.) for all our products, sugarcane molasses and other specialty products
Supports SAP Certificate of Analysis (COA) system as a member of COA Support
Responds to customer inquiries related to COA’s.
Manages and coordinates the internal auditing of company laboratories and approval of 3rd party laboratories.
Assist Research & Technology (R&T) and New Product Development (NPD) in both new products or product line extensions from laboratory through plant scale-up trials.
Assists location startup and production QA/QC oversight at all domestic contract manufacturing locations.
Maintain and act as ASR technical liaison in matters concerning the pharmaceutical (NF/EP/USP/etc.) business
Manages purchase requests and invoice approvals for corporate testing and other associated costs incurred by the corporate quality team or are completed in support of site quality activities.
Complete laboratory testing for corporate samples as required
Performs all other duties as assigned
Conducts regular meetings with direct reports to keep them informed of current problems, changes and new developments in the department and company
Monitors work productivity, recommends, and implement changes to improve work productivity
Plans and monitors workload for timely and accurate completion
Coordinates workflow and procedures to maximize service
Coaches and counsel’s direct reports on performance issues
Complete annual and semi-annual (where appropriate) performance appraisals for all direct reports in a timely manner and meets with staff to discuss and deliver the final appraisal
Arranges for cross training of teams to maximize productivity and provide coverage of all functions
Counsel’s direct reports on educational and job opportunities which will enhance their career development
Completes time off approvals and scheduling for coverage as needed
Administers all policies and procedures set forth by ASR Group